SMP 2025 in review

Written By Theresa Gooda


At our recent AGM, SMP chair David Hide reviewed the key moments from another outstanding year for the Shelley Memorial Project and reflected on the progress that has been made towards establishing a permanent memorial for Shelley in Horsham. He explained that 2026 would be our most important year yet.

David outlined the SMP's current position  and the crucial next steps we will take to enable us to unveil the memorial in September 2027.

Current position

  • We have a talented committee in place which includes poets, writers, musicians art historians, curators landscape architects and administrators

  • We have a artnership agreement in place with HDC in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding

  • The £100, 000 budget has been agreed

  • Extensive public consultation has been delivered, and ongoing project profile-raising is being achieved

  • An active social media presence and excellent community website is in place

  • Artwork has been selected and further design consultation complete

  • The location within Horsham Park agreed

  • HDC, as the landowner, has provided written permissions

  • Preplanning application has been submitted, and officer feedback received.

  • 25% of fundraising has already been achieved

  • A fundraising plan is in place for the remainder

You can see more images of our 2025 year in review here.

Next steps 

  • Submit planning application January 2026 (done)

  • Confirm gifting arrangements with HDC first quarter 2026

  • Activate fundraising strategy throughout 2026

  • Commission artwork last quarter of 2026

  • Finalise  landscape details  with HDC and paths to the memorial first quarter 2027

  • Installation autumn 2027

We also heard from David that we are well ahead with plans for this year's International Poetry Competition and our first two fundraising events are planned with tickets already on sale.

David concluded his review by thanking the committee and every SMP supporter, and stressed that the year ahead would be the most important  yet for the project as we seek to deliver a lasting memorial to,  ‘the most eminent person to whom Horsham can lay claim.'

SMP’s first two fundraising events of 2026

Theresa Gooda
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The Shelley Family Tree